BILL NUMBER: AB 193	CHAPTERED  10/10/99

	CHAPTER   810
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   OCTOBER 10, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   OCTOBER 8, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   SEPTEMBER 9, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   SEPTEMBER 7, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   SEPTEMBER 1, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   AUGUST 30, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   AUGUST 25, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JULY 15, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 29, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 18, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 5, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MARCH 17, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Cardoza
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Briggs, Florez, Machado, and
Steinberg)
   (Coauthor:  Senator McPherson)

                        JANUARY 21, 1999

   An act to add and repeal Section 1011.7 of the Military and
Veterans Code, relating to veterans.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 193, Cardoza.  Veterans homes.
   Existing law establishes a Veterans Home of California,
Yountville, and authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to
establish and construct a 2nd home located at various sites in
southern California.
   This bill would establish a Governor's Commission on Veterans
Homes consisting of 12 appointed and ex officio members to advise the
Governor and the Legislature, as specified, on the establishment of
veterans homes in California.  The bill would repeal these provisions
as of January 1, 2002.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 1011.7 is added to the Military and Veterans
Code, to read:
   1011.7.  (a) There is hereby created a Governor's Commission on
Veterans Homes to advise the Governor and the Legislature on the
establishment of veterans homes in California.
   (b) The commission shall consist of 12 members as follows:
   (1) A member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, appointed by the
Governor from a list of three names submitted to the Governor by the
Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
   (2) A member of the American Legion, appointed by the Governor
from a list of three names submitted to the Governor by the Commander
of the American Legion.
   (3) A member of the Disabled American Veterans, appointed by the
Governor from a list of three names submitted to the Governor by the
Commander of the Disabled American Veterans.
   (4) A member of the AmVets, appointed by the Governor from a list
of three names submitted to the Governor by the Commander of the
AmVets.
   (5) Three veterans, as defined by Section 980, appointed by the
Governor.
   (6) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, one of
whom shall be a veteran, as defined by Section 980, and one of whom
shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member.
   (7) Two members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, one of
whom shall be a veteran, as defined by Section 980, and one of whom
shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member.
   (8) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs or his or her designee.
   (c) (1) In making appointments pursuant to paragraphs (1) to (4),
inclusive, of subdivision (b), the Governor shall consult with the
leadership of the veterans organizations specified in those
paragraphs.
   (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, gubernatorial
appointments made pursuant to subdivision (b) shall not be subject to
the approval of the Senate.
   (d) The Governor shall select one of the members to serve as
chairperson.
   (e) The commission shall hold a minimum of four public meetings at
times and places as it shall determine.
   (f) (1) Each member shall receive, for each day's attendance at
each meeting of the commission, a per diem of fifty dollars ($50) and
shall receive the same per diem for each day spent on official
duties assigned by the commission.
   (2) Each member shall be reimbursed for his or her necessary
traveling and other expenses incurred in the performance of his or
her official duties.
   State agencies, including those identified in subdivision (j), may
pay a portion of the commission's expenses.
   (g) (1) The commission shall establish findings and make
recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on the
establishment of veterans homes in California.  The findings and
recommendations may include, but need not be limited to, the
following matters:
   (A) Possible sites for one or more state veterans homes.  This
recommendation shall give consideration to the availability of
federal surplus property and any property available for no cost, or
at less than market value, from public or private sources, and to a
competitive site-selection process that would compare the relative
merits of all available sites.
   (B) Selection of a site specifically for the treatment of veterans
who suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other diseases causing
dementia.  Preference should be given to a site with access to an
existing medical teaching or research facility.
   (C) The scope and level of health care, residential care, and
recreational facilities, and other services and amenities to be
provided at each home.
   (D) The number of sites to be established and the resident
population to be served at each site, including a description of the
type, size, and projected population of each of the residential
components of the home, including, but not limited to, skilled
nursing care beds, intermediate care beds, domiciliary care,
independent living facilities, and day care facilities.
   (E) Estimates of design and planning costs, land acquisition
costs, capital construction costs, and annual operating costs of each
home that would be associated with various modes of construction.
   (F) Financing options for the development and construction of a
home on one or more sites that shall include, but not be limited to,
financial assistance available through the federal Department of
Veterans Affairs State Home Grants Program.
   (G) The management of each home by state or private
administration.
   (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), the commission shall hear
testimony from interested citizens concerning the needs of veterans
in California.
   (h) Notwithstanding Section 7550.5 of the Government Code, the
commission shall report to the Governor and the Legislature on or
before October 1, 2001, concerning its findings and recommendations,
as specified in subdivision (g), for the development and construction
activities associated with veterans homes in California.
   (i) (1) Any new veterans homes sites recommended by the Governor's
Commission on Veterans Homes shall be in addition to, and any new
homes shall be built after, those listed in Section 1011.
   (2) Priority for new veterans home sites shall be in areas that
have been underserved, specifically in the San Joaquin Valley and the
Los Angeles Basin.
   (j) State agencies, including, but not limited to, the Governor's
Office of Planning and Research, the Department of Veterans Affairs,
the office of the Treasurer, and the Project Management Branch within
the Real Estate Services Division of the Department of General
Services, may provide staff assistance to the commission upon its
request.
   (k) The commission may solicit and accept private donations,
through the secretary, from any person, association, or entity
interested in veterans benefits.
   (l) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2002, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2002, deletes or extends
that date.
